Tag Archive | Boldwood Books

Hard Times On Weaver Street by Chrissie Walsh

May26

Constant & True

Hard Times On Weaver Street by Chrissie Walsh is a fabulous historical novel and the second book in the Weaver Street series. It can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces as the residents of Weaver Street journey through the 1920’s and 1930’s.

These are challenging decades as the residents who are recovering from World War I find themselves plunged into depression before war once more looms on the horizon.

All the women are strong, realistic and likable. They support each other throughout life’s changing seasons. They also welcome new faces. “There was more love in those shabby little houses in Lamb Lane than there ever had been in Heathcote Manor.” Money does not buy happiness.

There is no judging of situations as the women realise that there but for the grace of God. We all make mistakes and need love not judgement.

It is delightful to watch the children grow throughout the course of the book as we welcome the next generation of residents to occupy Weaver Street.

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A Mother’s War by Helen Parusel

May17

A Fabulous Debut

A Mother’s War by Helen Parusel is a marvellous historical debut that enthralled me.

The story educates as you read. It is set in Nazi occupied Norway during World War II and concerns the Lebensborn program. This was designed to re-populate Germany with Aryan looking babies – some were born in Lebensborn homes, others were kidnapped from their parents and sent to Germany to be adopted. It was an open secret and not talked about much. After the war, some mothers and their children were shunned.

Mothers entered the program for a variety of reasons – for some it was the kudos, others had genuinely fallen in love.

We see that not all Germans were Nazis. Some were abhorrent at the persecution and the horrors that they witnessed. They did what they could to help others, from inside the Nazi war machine.

There was the Norwegian resistance. We see the courage needed to stand up and make a difference.

Love happens where it will. We witness the dilemma a character faces when she meets kindness in a young German soldier.

Children are a gift from God, whatever the circumstances of their birth.

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A Contest To Kill For by E V Hunter

May17

Entertained, Glued & Guessing

A Contest To Kill For by E V Hunter is a marvellous contemporary cosy crime novel. It is the second book in The Hopwood Hall Murder Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with familiar faces.

Once more we follow the amateur super sleuths of a P.I. and a former newspaper reporter. Together they have the brain power to unravel the clues and to see where they lead.

The pair are joined by Cosmo, a rather ferocious feline companion who is discerning about the company he keeps. He is very much a character in his own right. As a crazy cat lady, I loved Cosmo with his unique personality!

A retreat to a country hotel should bring peace and tranquility but then a body is discovered. Suspicion casts a wide net as alibis are sought.

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You’ve Got This by Maxine Morrey

May9

Cocooned & Loved

You’ve Got This by Maxine Morrey is an absolutely delightful contemporary novel that will warm your heart and make you smile.

The action is in the first person from the point of view of the main character. We get to know her intimately. She is kind and amusing but being a pupil from the school of hard knocks means she has constructed a wall around her heart. “You helped make cracks that let the light in.” We all need to find that person who enables us to trust and to let them into our life. Our lives become richer when we learn to open up and let people in.

A family run hotel welcomes everyone with a warm smile. The reader feels the warmth as a loving kindness envelops us.

Rejection after rejection from a baby has hurt. A character is remarkably undamaged with a sunny personality which the reader admires.

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